1. Submitting national data through Reportnet
Reporting Meeting Group
5th March 2009

2. Why switch to Reportnet?
The current method for data delivery has many drawbacks:
Long process of delivery: CD’s are sent to DG ENV through Perm Rep. (may take weeks or months)
Possible degradation of material during transport and manipulation.
Long delays between the sending of data by Member States and its validation and integration in the Natura 2000 database
The Reportnet online reporting system, managed by the European Environment Agency (EEA), is especially designed to improve the efficiency of data-flows and brings a solution to many of these problems

3. How will it work? (in a nutshell)
Member State data coordinators will log into their Natura 2000 folder on Reportnet CDR (Central Data Repository)
They will create an “envelope” in which they will upload the files they need to deliver.
After confirmation and closing of the envelope, an automatic receipt will be sent back to the data coordinator.
This automatic receipt should be sent through Permanent Representation to DG ENV.
DG ENV tells ETC and EEA they can start the validation and processing of the new data in view of its integration into the Natura 2000 database.

4. Advantages
Elimination of CD's as data carrier and the flaws inherent to that medium;
Reduced manual intervention.
Transfer by post limited to paper documents;
Possibility for Member States to follow-up/track their past submissions (better transparency);
Easier and quicker access to data by the Commission, EEA and ETC;
Validation reports will also be accessible to Member States via Reportnet Central Data Repository (CDR);

5. What remains to be done?
DG ENV asked the MS at the last Habitats Committee (13th of February) to send the contact details for their Natura 2000 data coordinators for ReportNet.
12 Members States have answered so far (MT,DE,LV,SE,BG,PT,HU,RO, FR,IT,LU,GR) By the end of next week they will have received by a login and password and will be able to start using Reportnet.
For the others an extended deadline has been given to the 13th of March.

6. Remaining improvements for the Natura 2000 dataflow.
The switch to Reportnet is only a first step in a range of improvements which should take place over the coming months. These improvements are being discussed in the frame of WP 4 and (will) concern among others:
Elimination of Paper Maps
A review of the Standard Data Form (SDF)
Improve QA/QC (quality assurance/quality control)
Improve technical aspects of data-flow, eg. a change of formats

7. More information on Reportnet CDR
Detailed User Manual on CIRCA from last Habitats Committee:
all steps for submitting new data
useful optional features, such as notifications
Reportnet helpdesk:
Contact them by at
Contact them by phone, details at:

8. Thank you!